Data Science (with Industrial Experience)

MSci Hons

  • UCAS code G903
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAA
  • Duration Full time 4 years

Overview

Data science plays a vital role in all aspects of the modern world. Our programme will ensure you have a strong foundation in this rapidly expanding, highly in-demand field to achieve your career aspirations.

Our programme delivers a broad yet rigorous grounding in computer science and statistics, adopting both theoretical and practical learning approaches. You will gain cutting-edge knowledge and skills through state-of-the-art equipment and excellent teaching offered by both the School of Computing and Communications and the School of Mathematical Sciences.

This engaging programme, and our reputation for excellence in research, means that you will receive high quality teaching delivered by academics who are experts in their field. Throughout the three years, you will develop a range of discipline specific skills and gain specialist knowledge that will prepare you for your chosen career.

During your first year, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of computer science, and will simultaneously develop your knowledge and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts. Bringing these two fields together into data science fundamentals, you will also enhance your data analysis, problem-solving and quantitative reasoning skills.

In the second year, you will further deepen your knowledge in linear algebra, probability and statistics, as well as your foundational understanding, programming, and software design skills. While studying these topics, you will complete our Project Skills module, which will provide you with the chance to enhance your research and employment skills through individual and group projects designed for data scientists. This will give you experience of approaching a data science problem in the real-world.

Your third year will also give you the opportunity to specialise in a range of enriching research-informed optional modules, as well as undertaking a substantial data science individual project. In this project you will work closely with one of our academics, expand your problem-solving abilities, and draw upon the skills and knowledge that you have gained throughout your degree. This will be great experience for you to draw upon in an interview and in your career.

Your fourth year will present you with a range of advanced modules as well as practical and professional experience. Blending contemporary technical training with advanced professional development, you will complete a variety of integrated industry activities during a dedicated ten-week industry placement. This is complemented with a further seven-week fourth-year project. Together, this will allow you to apply the skills you have learnt while gaining valuable real-world experience.

We are working to satisfy the emerging requirements for Data Science accreditation as defined by the appropriate professional bodies (such as the British Computer Society, Royal Statistical Society).

Careers

The gathering, interpretation, and evaluation of data is fundamental to all aspects of modern life. As a result, data science can lead to a career in a wide range of industries. Data Science graduates are very versatile, and have in-depth, specialist knowledge and a wealth of skills.

Upon completion of this degree, you will graduate with a comprehensive skill set, including data analysis and manipulation, logical thinking, problem-solving and quantitative reasoning, as well as adept knowledge of the discipline. As a result, data scientists are sought after in a range of industries, such as business and finance, defence, education, infrastructure and power, and IT and communications.

Particular graduate destinations may include data analyst, data scientist, or machine learning engineer. Many of our students also elect to continue in higher education by studying for MSc or PhD qualifications. Lancaster is home to the Data Science Institute (DSI), which creates a world-class Data Science research capability, setting the global standard for a truly interdisciplinary approach to contemporary data-driven research challenges.

We provide careers advice and host a range of events throughout each academic year. These include our annual careers fair, attended by exhibitors who are interested in providing placements and vacancies to data science students and graduates. You can also speak face-to-face with employers such as Network Rail, Oracle, and Johnson and Johnson, in addition to a broad range of SMEs. Our graduates have gone on to work with major technology companies such as IBM, Google, BBC, and BAE, while others have chosen to take their software design, development, and management skills to SMEs, or have set up their own technology-centric businesses.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAA

Required Subjects A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics grade A

GCSE English Language grade C or 4

IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including 6 in HL Mathematics (either analysis and approaches or applications and interpretations)

BTEC May be considered alongside A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics at grade A

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

core modules accordion

Core

core modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Core

core modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Core

core modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £29,820

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

Scheme Based on Amount
Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} Amount {{item.amount}}

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

Undergraduate open days 2024

Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.

Undergraduate Open Days
two students sitting and reading on some outdoor steps
  • Virtual tour

    Take five minutes and let us show you what Lancaster has to offer, from our beautiful green campus to our colleges, teaching and sports facilities.

  • Accommodation guide

    Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • The city and beyond

    Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.